NSB-06-130
APPROVED MINUTES1
OPEN SESSION 395TH MEETING NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD National Science Foundation
Arlington, Virginia
November 29-30, 2006
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Steven C. Beering, Chairman
Mark R. Abbott
Dan E. Arvizu
Barry C. Barish
Camilla P. Benbow
Ray M. Bowen
G. Wayne Clough
Kelvin K. Droegemeier
Kenneth M. Ford
Patricia D. Galloway
José-Marie Griffiths
Daniel E. Hastings
Elizabeth Hoffman
Louis J. Lanzerotti
Arthur K. Reilly
Jon C. Strauss
Thomas N. Taylor
Richard F. Thompson
Jo Anne Vasquez
Kathryn D. Sullivan, Vice Chairman
John T. Bruer
Karl Hess
Alan I. Leshner
Douglas D. Randall
Arden L. Bement, Jr., ex officio
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The minutes of the 395th meeting were approved by the Board at the February 2007 meeting.
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The National Science Board (Board) convened in Open Session at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday,
November 30, 2006 with Dr. Steven Beering, Chairman, presiding (Agenda NSB-06-116,
Board Book Tab 13). In accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act, this portion
of the meeting was open to the public.
AGENDA ITEM 5: Approval of Open Session Minutes, September 2006
The Board unanimously APPROVED the Open Session minutes of the
September 2006 Board meeting (NSB-06-112, Board Book Tab 13E).
AGENDA ITEM 6: Closed Session Items for February 2007
The Board unanimously APPROVED the Closed Session items for
the February 7-8, 2007 meeting (NSB-06-113, Board Book Tab 13F).
AGENDA ITEM 7: Chairman’s Report
Dr. Beering, Board Chairman, reported on several issues.
a. 2007 Board Retreat, Visit, and Meeting
The annual retreat, visit, and meeting will take place at Oregon State University, Corvallis,
Oregon, on February 7-8, 2007. Board Member, Dr. Mark Abbott, Dean and Professor at
Oregon State University (OSU) will be the local host. Dr. Beering asked Board Members for
specific topics for consideration during the retreat.
Dr. Michael Crosby, Board Executive Officer and Board Office Director, reported that he had
been working with Dr. Abbott and Dr. Edward Ray, OSU President, and visited with them and
others at OSU. Dr. Crosby summarized the planned activities.
ƒ
February 6: Travel day; optional tours at the Linus Pauling Collection, OSU and the
Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport.
ƒ February 7: Briefings from OSU on their diverse science and engineering research
ƒ and education endeavors; tour of the Tsunami Wave Basin, one of the nodes of Network
for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) node facility; and Board retreat.
ƒ February 8: Breakfast hosted by Dr. Ray with a student research poster session;
committee meetings; Plenary sessions; and a seminar lecture by Dr. Jane Lubchenco,
OSU Professor and former Board Member.
b. ad hoc Committee for the Vannevar Bush Award
Dr. Beering established the ad hoc Committee for the Vannevar Bush Award at the Board
meeting in September 2006, and announced the members of the committee who agreed to serve:
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, chairman, and Drs. Kelvin Droegemeier, Patricia Galloway, José-Marie
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Griffiths, and Thomas Taylor as members. The committee will select the recipient of the 2007
Vannevar Bush Award for “outstanding contributions toward the welfare of mankind and the
Nation through public service activities in science and technology.”
c. Task Force on Hurricane Science and Engineering
The Chairman discharged the Task Force on Hurricane Science and Engineering, which
had completed its work with approval of the report, Hurricane Warning: The Critical Need for
a National Hurricane Research Initiative. Special thanks went to co-chairmen, Drs. Kelvin
Droegemeier and Kenneth Ford, and the task force members Drs. Daniel Hastings, Elizabeth
Hoffman, and Alan Leshner. Dr. Beering thanked the co-chairmen for their scintillating
presentations at the public release of the Board report on September 29, 2006.
d. National Science Board Members 2006
The pamphlet, National Science Board Members 2006, also known as the Board “Photobook,”
was published in October 2006 and includes the newest Board Members.
e. Recognition of Board Members
Dr. Sullivan was named as the first Director of the new Battelle Center for Mathematics and
Science Education Policy at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn School of Public Affairs.
Also, Dr. Jo Anne Vasquez accepted the position as Director of Policy and Outreach at the
Center for Research on Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology at
Arizona State University. In addition, Dr. Hoffman was named Executive Vice President and
Provost at Iowa State University.
f. Board Commission on 21st Century Education in STEM
Dr. Beering invited Dr. Vasquez, a Board Member and Commission Vice Chairman, to report
on the Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM). She reported that the full Commission met for the second time,
November 20-21, 2006, in Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry where all seven
working groups reported to the full Commission. Dr. Beering gave opening remarks to the
Commission and Dr. Sullivan also participated in the meeting.
The Commission heard from Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), who expressed his view that
improvement in science and math education is necessary to an educated workforce that is the
foundation of economic strength. He pointed out that there were 11 congressmen who have
degrees in engineering and that he was pleased to be among that number. The Commission also
heard from Mr. Arnie Duncan, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools, who spoke on
the challenges and opportunities of running a large urban school district.
The next meeting of the Commission will be in January 2007 in Arizona where the Commission
will have the opportunity to interact with Governor Janet Napolitano, Chairman of the National
Governors Association. The Commission will prepare an initial draft report with
recommendations to submit to the Board for its review at the February 2007 meeting.
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AGENDA ITEM 8: Director’s Report
Dr. Arden Bement, Jr., NSF Director, reported on the following items.
a. NSF Staff Announcements: Introductions
As announced at the last meeting, Dr. Cora Marrett will join NSF in February 2007 as
Assistant Director for Education and Human Resources. Dr. Marrett currently serves as Senior
Vice President for Academic Affairs University of Wisconsin system, and attended the Board
meeting.
Dr. Haym Hirsh began serving as Director, Division of Information and Intelligent Systems,
Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) in October 2006.
Dr. Hirsh came to NSF from Rutgers University where he served as Chairman of the Computer
Science Department. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science in 1989 from Stanford
University.
Dr. Linda Slakey joined NSF as Director, Division of Undergraduate Education, Directorate for
Education and Human Resources (EHR) on November 27, 2006. Dr. Slakey came to NSF from
the University of Massachusetts where she served as Professor of Biochemistry and Dean of the
Commonwealth College. She received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1967 from the University
of Michigan.
Ms. Karen Tiplady began her career Senior Executive Service appointment as Director, Division
of Grants and Agreements (DGA); Office of Budget, Finance, and Award Management (BFA)
on October 1, 2006. Ms. Tiplady has been with NSF for 5 years and prior to her appointment as
Director, DGA, she served as the Chief, Cost Analysis and Audit Resolution Branch in the
Division of Institution and Award Support. She received her B.A. in Accounting in 1985 from
the University of Maryland.
Ms. Teresa Davies joined NSF as Senior Advisor for Legislative Affairs, Office of Legislative
and Public Affairs (OLPA) on October 16, 2006. Prior to joining NSF, Ms. Davies served as
Deputy Director, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, Department of the Interior.
She received her B.A. in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.
Also, Mr. George Lennon joined the staff as Senior Advisor for Public Affairs, OLPA on
October 29, 2006. Prior to joining NSF, Mr. Lennon served as National Director, Office of
Communication, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. He received his M.A. in Public
Administration in 1991 from Central Michigan University.
b. NSF Staff Announcements: Departures
Dr. Peter Freeman, Assistant Director, CISE since 2002, will be joining the Washington
Advisory Group in January 2007. Before working at NSF, Dr. Freeman was the Dean of
Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he continues as Professor Emeritus.
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Mr. Charles Brown, NSF’s Senior Ethics Official, will retire after 35 years of Government
service, including 15 years with NSF, in January 2007. His incredible efforts on behalf of NSF,
both within the agency and elsewhere, helped create one of the best and most highly regarded
ethics programs in all of Government. He is known within the ethics community as its elder
statesman, and even the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Justice have come
to him for advice. Even in retirement, Mr. Brown’s talents will be relied upon to help establish
and direct the first national program to provide pro bono legal services for the blind. Dr. Bement
thanked Mr. Brown for his many years of sage advice and good counsel.
c. 2006 Presidential Rank Awards and Other Award
Dr. Bement announced the NSF recipients of the 2006 Presidential Rank Awards, which
recognize and celebrate career Senior Executive Service members who are strong leaders
and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to public
service. The President selects award recipients after a rigorous review process coordinated by
the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The five NSF recipients of these awards are:
Dr. Karl Erb, Director of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP), and Dr. Wanda Ward, Deputy
Assistant Director for SBE, received the Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award.
Dr. Deborah Crawford, Deputy Assistant Director for CISE; Dr. Thomas Cross, Deputy
Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General (OIG); and Dr. Thomas Weber, Director of
the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE), received the Meritorious Executive
Presidential Rank Award.
Dr. Bement also announced that the National Council of University Research Administrators
awarded Mr. Thomas Cooley, NSF Chief Financial Officer, the Joe Carrabino Award given in
recognition of a Federal employee who has demonstrated continuous outstanding service to the
academic research community. This award recognized Mr. Cooley’s clear and effective
communication of changes to NSF policies and programs, helping to ensure effective proposal
generation and award oversight.
Dr. Beering, speaking on behalf of the Board, congratulated the awardees and expressed deep
appreciation to the departing staff for their contributions.
d. Congressional Update
The NSF Director reported that the November 2006 election, which resulted in a switch in the
majority party for both the House and Senate, would affect the chairmen and ranking members of
NSF committees. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Richard Shelby were expected to switch roles
and become chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the NSF Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee. Representative Alan Mollohan was expected to replace Representative Frank
Wolf as chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee. The ranking member of that
subcommittee was uncertain. Representative Bart Gordon, who has served on the Science
Committee for more than a decade, will replace Representative Sherwood Boehlert as chairman
of that committee. Senators Edward Kennedy and Daniel Inouye will be chairmen of the two
Senate authorizing committees - the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee as well
as the Commerce Committee - where Senators Michael Enzi and Ted Stevens will serve as
ranking members.
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Since the September 2006 Board meeting, there were no hearings involving NSF; however, a
number of bills were introduced or subject to congressional action. A list of those actions was
included in the November 2006 Board Book (Tab 13G), and none of the actions were likely to be
enacted prior to the conclusion of the 109th Congress.
AGENDA ITEM 9: Open Committee Reports
a. Executive Committee (EC)
Dr. Bement, EC chairman, reported that there were no items of business.
b. Audit and Oversight (A&O) Committee
Dr. Dan Arvizu, A&O chairman, expressed concern for the increasing workload and the
complexity of tasks asked of NSF staff, illuminated by his visit with NSF leadership and staff
about A&O Committee related issues. It was an item that was highlighted in the OIG
Semiannual Report to Congress, September 2006.
Dr. Christine Boesz, NSF Inspector General, discussed the Semiannual Report to Congress.
Dr. Fae Korsmo, Staff Associate, Office of the Director, presented the NSF management
response with data tables, along with the transmittal letter (Board Book Tab 7B). Based on the
recommendation by the A&O Committee:
The Board unanimously APPROVED the transmittal letter and management
response to the OIG Semiannual Report to Congress, September 2006.
Mr. Salvadore Ercolano, Partner-in-Charge with Clifton-Gunderson LLP, presented the results of
NSF’s financial statement audit and Information Technology (IT) Security Program review. The
agency received an unqualified opinion in its financial audit report with no material weaknesses.
However, despite improvements made over the past year, two prior reportable conditions
remained: (1) post-award oversight for high-risk grants and cooperative agreements; and (2)
contract monitoring. Mr. Ercolano stated that most of the improvements made by the agency to
improve post-award oversight were implemented at the end of the year leaving little time for
evaluation by the auditors. With regard to contract monitoring, Mr. Ercolano commented that
the corrective actions were not yet fully comprehensive. He also stated that the review of NSF’s
IT Security Program, known as the FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act)
report, found no significant deficiencies, but listed six findings under “other matters.” The
agency agreed with the findings but there was some level of disagreement regarding the
significance or level of severity.
Dr. George Strawn, NSF Chief Information Officer, reported on NSF’s plans to handle the
FISMA-related findings and additional IT security demands in FY 2007.
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Mr. Cooley, NSF Chief Financial Officer, noted that this financial statement audit cycle was
particularly successful and complimented the new audit firm on its extensive and open
communications. Copies of the NSF FY2006 Performance and Accountability Report were
provided to Board Members and made available on the NSF Web page,
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=par. Mr. Cooley reported on NSF’s
extensive efforts in FY 2006 and planned for FY2007 to address the reportable condition related
to post-award monitoring for high risk awards. He emphasized a comprehensive risk based
approach for oversight of NSF’s $19 billion multi-year award portfolio and the suite of activities
for the Award Monitoring and Business Assistance Program. More extensive desk reviews,
increased financial transaction testing for high-risk awards, and added contract support will
strengthen the program.
Mr. Cooley also reported on NSF’s new Project Report Tracking and Notification System,
which went live in November 2006. He also provided the committee with an update on related
activities of the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Science’s “Research
Business Models.” This project included a number of interagency initiatives to develop common
standards in a variety of policies and practices related to Federal research funding and
management.
c. Education and Human Resources (EHR) Committee
Dr. Hoffman, EHR chairman, reported the committee heard from two guest speakers.
Mr. Robert Shea, Associate Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) and Head, President's Budget and Performance Integration Initiative, provided the
committee with an overview of OMB's work to evaluate the effectiveness of programs in
STEM education. He described the charge, results obtained, specific metrics used for the tasks
undertaken, and measures of effectiveness. The full OMB report will be available in February
2007, and will clarify the roles of programs and their impacts to date as well as approaches to
reduce the cost of evaluations. The committee was especially interested in evidence relevant to
STEM teacher retention and recruitment.
Dr. Ward, currently Acting Assistant Director, NSF Directorate for EHR, provided the
committee with background information regarding EHR’s systematic approach to evaluation,
the methods and procedures used, and how the evaluations are used to inform and revise EHR
programs. NSF EHR makes use of a multiplicity of evaluation methods to assess program value
and impact. Some examples of programs that have been evaluated for impacts include the Math
and Science Partnership (MPS), the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP),
the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT), and the Advanced
Technology Education (ATE).
Dr. Vasquez updated the committee on the recent meeting of the Board’s STEM Commission
held on November 20-21, 2006, at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. The
committee discussed a response to the recent request from Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ),
asking the Board to provide a summary of its review of the NSF EHR program evaluations
being undertaken by the committee on behalf of the Board. In a letter dated October 31, 2006,
Dr. Beering responded to Representative Holt stating that the Board will provide a summary
review of the NSF EHR programs with respect to evaluation procedures and results.
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Dr. Hoffman asked for Board Members to send comments to her and Dr. Crosby. A draft
response will be circulated to the Board for comment and approval on a schedule that ensures
the Board report can be delivered to Representative Holt in January 2007. This would be an
opportunity to promote the excellent EHR programs at NSF for the beginning of the 2008
budget cycle.
Finally, the EHR Committee agreed to a formal meeting in February 2007.
d. EHR Subcommittee on Science and Engineering Indicators (SEI)
Dr. Louis Lanzerotti, SEI chairman, reported that Board Members and SEI members provided
comments and suggestions for the chapters on Science and Engineering Indicators (Indicators)
2008, and the subcommittee agreed that the revised outlines were ready for the authors to begin
preparing chapter drafts. The subcommittee also reviewed a matrix circulated to Board Members
to sign-up as chapter reviewers. Additionally, the subcommittee received staff suggestions and
offered additional names for external reviewers for individual chapters. Members were asked to
send additional suggestions to Dr. Lanzerotti and Dr. Alan Rapoport, SEI Executive Secretary.
The subcommittee also initiated a discussion of candidate topics for the Companion Piece.
SEI began a parallel discussion of Indicators 2010, and covered three topics for that publication.
Some data needs were identified from the comments received from Board Members on the
Indicators 2008 chapter outlines. The subcommittee discussed plans to have a meeting with
state representatives to discuss the state chapter and how the coverage of state interests and
concerns could be better addressed. Similarly, the subcommittee plans a meeting with industry
representatives to adequately cover national endeavors in science and engineering related to
industry. Lastly, SEI discussed plans for Indicators 2010.
e. ad hoc Engineering Education Group
On behalf of Drs. Lanzerotti and Hastings, Dr. G. Wayne Clough reported on the ad hoc
Engineering Education Group. The November 7, 2006 Board-sponsored workshop on
Engineering Education, “Moving Forward to Improve Engineering Education,” was held at the
Georgia Institute of Technology. Over 20 engineering deans from leading institutions around the
country attended the workshop. Workshop participants shared ideas and possibilities to address
the topics important to the future of engineering education. Workshop summaries from the
group’s two workshops will be combined into one document for distribution to a larger audience.
f. Committee on Programs and Plans (CPP)
Dr. Ford, CPP chairman, reported that Dr. Margaret Leinen, Assistant Director, Directorate for
Geosciences, gave a brief update on the status of the Scientific Ocean Drilling Vessel, a
construction project, funded through the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction
(MREFC) account. NSF released a request for proposals to the community for this project, and
three shipyards responded. All three proposals exceeded the budget by at least $25 million due
largely to dramatic increases in material and energy costs. NSF is exploring various alternatives
to meet this shortfall. Shifting funds within the FY 2008 budget request would delay the project
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and perhaps result in additional increases in cost. NSF is working with the contractor and the
relevant advisory groups to find alternatives to reduce the cost while still meeting the science
goals. NSF will update the Board again at the next meeting.
Dr. Ford reported on the status of several task forces and a subcommittee.
Task Force on International Science (INT)
Dr. Jon Strauss, INT chairman, presented CPP with a proposed timeline for future plans. After
the discussion with the Department of State and many others, the task force will plan to hold its
third international roundtable forum in Brussels during the spring of 2007. He reported that the
timeline also included plans to convene several smaller meetings with science and technology
government and university representatives in the Middle East in the spring or summer of 2007.
INT plans to have a final report prepared by the October 2007 Board meeting. Based on the
recommendation by CPP:
The Board unanimously APPROVED the INT timeline and plans to convene
a third international roundtable discussion in Brussels during the spring of 2007.
Subcommittee on Polar Issues (SOPI)
Dr. Barry Barish, SOPI chairman, reported that Dr. Karl Erb, OPP Director, circulated copies of
postage stamps that the U.S. Postal Service will release in celebration of the International Polar
Year (IPY). He also noted a recent award by the state of Colorado to the Raytheon Polar
Services Corporation, contractor for the U.S. Arctic Program, for exemplary environmental
stewardship; provided a status update on the Oden travel to McMurdo Station; and reported that
NSF will publish a request for information concerning re-supply services for McMurdo Station
within the next few days.
Dr. Anita Jones, former Board Member and chairman of the National Research Council’s
(NRC’s), Committee on the Assessment of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Polar Icebreaker Roles
and Future Needs, provided an overview on the committee’s charge and recommendations on the
committee’s view of the national needs in this area: (1) resume regular USCG patrols in the
Arctic, with Federal science agencies paying incremental costs; (2) build two new ships to give
the U.S. the capability that is required in that area; and (3) issue a Presidential Decision
Directive, asserting the need for U.S. icebreaker capability and aligning agency responsibilities
and budgets. The committee also noted that NSF research relates to U.S. global and foreign
policy. In the discussion that followed, Dr. Bement stressed the need to differentiate the shortterm practices used by NSF and the eventual long-term goals or roles of icebreakers or the
national use of icebreakers. Dr. Bement also noted that in addition to the large cost of building
icebreakers, there would be an issue of maintenance costs and deferred maintenance. He
endorsed the idea of the Presidential Directive, and urged the Board to recognize the need to be
flexible during the interim period without new icebreakers. During the question-and-answer
period, it was noted that NSF is exploring alternate ways to resupply McMurdo Station at the
South Pole. Dr. Lanzerotti emphasized that the U.S. presence at the South Pole is strategic as
well as scientific. SOPI plans to establish a task group to update the Board’s official policy on
icebreakers, which would be presented to CPP at the Board meeting in March 2007.
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Task Force on Transformative Research (TR)
Dr. Leshner reported on behalf of Dr. Douglas Randall, TR chairman, on the timeline for
completing the task force report. Board Members were asked to provide comments on the draft
report to Drs. Randall and Crosby by December 11, 2006. Those comments would be reviewed
and incorporated into a new draft, which would be returned to the task force by mid-January
2007. A revised draft report will be made available for public comment by February 2007, and
a final report submitted for Board approval by March 2007. In order to meet the above schedule,
the task force requested that their charge, which was due to expire in December 2006, be
extended through the May 2007 Board meeting. Based on the recommendation by CPP:
The Board unanimously APPROVED the extension of the charge to the Task Force on Transformative Research to May 2007. Task Force on Hurricane Science and Engineering (HSE)
Dr. Droegemeier, HSE co-chairman, presented the final draft report, Hurricane Warning: The
Critical Need for a National Hurricane Research Initiative (NSB-06-104). Dr. Droegemeier
reviewed the major elements of the report with specific emphasis on recent revisions. The
committee recommended forwarding the draft report to the full Board for approval.
The Board unanimously APPROVED the draft report, Hurricane Warning:
The Critical Need for a National Hurricane Research Initiative (NSB-06-104),
subject to final editing by the Board Chairman and HSE co-chairmen.
Dr. Crosby briefed the committee on the FY 2007 schedule of NSF information and action items
for Board review.
Dr. Lanzerotti led a discussion on the Board policy on recompetition of NSF awards. CPP
discussed the creation of a task group to develop criteria for recompetition, but decided to defer
action until further review. Dr. Lanzerotti presented an overview of NSF’s funding mechanisms
and recompetition strategy within the context of the Board’s standing policy of 1997. CPP
recommended full Board approval for the Board Chairman to request additional information
from NSF.
The Board APPROVED that the Board Chairman request NSF to provide
the Board Office with additional information on management and operations
costs associated with large, multi-user facilities and MREFC account facilities.
Dr. Kathie Olsen, NSF Deputy Director, indicated that the information will be provided in time
for the March 2007 Board meeting.
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The committee heard two presentations on information items from the Division of Astronomical
Sciences (AST), Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS): one on the AST
Senior Review, presented by Dr. Roger Blandford, review panel chairman; and one on the
management review of the 5-year cooperative agreement with the National Optical Astronomy
Observatory (NOAO) and the National Solar Observatory (NSO) by Dr. Thomas Barnes,
AST Program Director. Dr. Blandford provided CPP with a review of AST’s senior review.
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Dr. Barnes presented the information item on NOAO and NSO, in which NSF conducted a
management review to recommend whether or not to recompete the cooperative agreement with
the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) that currently operates these
two facilities. The panel reviewed the performance of AURA in the cooperative agreement and
recommended that the award should not be recompeted at the present time. NSF plans to request
a proposal from AURA for a new 5-year cooperative agreement and will bring to the Board in
March 2007 a request for a 1-year extension of the current cooperative agreement.
g. Committee on Strategy and Budget (CSB)
Dr. Ray Bowen, CSB chairman, reported that the committee heard an update from the NSF
Working Group on Impact of Proposals and Award Management Mechanisms (IPAMM) by
Dr. Joanne Tornow, Senior Advisor, Planning, Policy, and Analysis, Office of the Deputy
Director. She provided information on different variables that influence program directors as
they make award decisions, including issues of the increasing number of proposals, speculation
as to why, and the impact of that on success rates. Her presentation produced questions that
included recommendations for further consideration. A draft report from the working group,
which is expected in the next few months, will assist the Board to come to a conclusion on
guidance concerning balance between success rates and award size.
Dr. Bement presented an update on the status of NSF’s FY 2007 budget request. He stated that
NSF was under a continuing resolution through December 8, 2006. It was anticipated that
Congress would pass another continuing resolution that would be effective into January.
AGENDA ITEM 10: Presentation on the Overview of NSF Outreach Activities
Mr. Jeffrey Nesbit, OLPA Director, presented an overview of NSF media outreach activities. He
noted that the recent NSF study finding that the Internet is second only to television as a source
of science news for Americans has been important in shaping OLPA strategies. OLPA launched
a number of new public affairs initiatives in the past 4 months aimed at reversing the long
decline in the public's understanding and appreciation of scientific exploration and discovery.
Many of these initiatives take advantage of new media technologies to directly reach the
American public, while others create partnerships with existing media to extend the reach of
OLPA public affairs activities. Some of these initiatives include partnerships with the Research
Channel, LiveScience, NSF-funded research institutions. He reported that Web statistics reflect
some success in the form of increasing traffic on the NSF Web site. Board Members noted the
need to increase efforts to reach private industry as well as more traditional NSF publics.
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Dr. Beering adjourned the Open Session at 3:15 p.m.
Ann A. Ferrante
Writer-Editor
National Science Board Office
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